Missouri extends Pinkel through 2020 season

Columbia, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - The University of Missouri rewarded head
football coach Gary Pinkel will a contract extension that will keep him with
the school through the 2020 season.

With the new agreement, Pinkel's guaranteed salary will increase $300,000 to
$3.1 million.

Last season, the Tigers went 12-2 and won the Southeastern Conference Eastern
Division title, reaching the SEC Championship Game in the program's second
year in the league.

Mizzou also defeated Oklahoma State, 41-31, in the Cotton Bowl, finishing with
a final ranking of fifth - the second-highest finish to a season by any Tiger
team.

"I'm very honored and proud to be the coach at Mizzou, and I appreciate the
opportunity," said Pinkel. "We will work very hard to continue to build our
program and to graduate our players. It's important for our program to keep
moving forward and build on a solid foundation. I'm pleased that my assistant
coaches continue to get recognized for the work they do. We are fortunate to
have a great staff at Mizzou."

The Cotton Bowl victory was also historic, as it made Pinkel the winningest
coach in Mizzou history. With a record of 102-63 in 13 seasons, Pinkel
passed legendary coach Don Faurot, who went 101-79-10 in 19 seasons.

"It is important for us to be able to recognize what Gary and his staff have
achieved for the University of Missouri," said Director of Athletics Mike
Alden. "We're very grateful to the Board of Curators and University leadership
for their support of our program, which is among the best in the nation both
academically and competitively."

Since 2007, Mizzou is the only program in the country to rank in the top-10
nationally in wins, while also ranking in the top-five in both Academic
Progress Rate.

Mizzou Athletics is currently in the midst of a $200 million facilities
improvement process - largely related to football - as a sign of its
commitment to competing in the SEC and on the national level.

Also part of the deal is in increase in the assistant coaching staff salary
pool from $2.66 million to $3.2 million.